Ghostbusters (2016)- Karl Sides “The Flick Fanatic”

Paul Fieg reinvents a comedy classic with an all female crew led by Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy in Ghostbusters (2016). As in the 1984 original, a group of scientists are faced with a ghost apocalypse taking over NYC! Co-starring with Wiig and Mccarthy are Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth that make up the new Ghostbusters crew.

Erin Gilbert (Wiig) is a college professor and about to get tenure when a man (Ed Begley Jr.) asks her to help rid a classic New York mansion of the ghost living in the basement. Gilbert tells the man she is a scientist and doesn’t believe in ghosts. The man produces a book she co-wrote and Erin knows her old friend Abby Yates (McCarthy) produced the book without her permission. Gilbert must get the book off the internet before it ruins her chances of tenure.

Abby currently chasing the paranormal with her partner Jillian Holtzmann (McKinnon) and explained to Erin that they were broke and needed cash. Abby makes a deal to remove the book if Erin introduces her and Holtzmann to the guy with the ghost problem. The ladies come face to face with the ghost of Gertrude Aldridge, a girl that killed her entire family. Gertrude escapes the house and the ladies are euphoric…..they have seen a real ghost!

Rowan North (Neil Casey) an end of the world wacko, is placing electromagnetic devices around New York that generate ghosts like the Aldridge girl and the electrified prisoner in the subway that the ladies encounter next. Patty Tolan (Jones) subway agent, decides to join the girls since she has a knowledge of New York streets and her dad has a spare car they can use. Next they hire a receptionist, Kevin (Hemsworth) that is handsome but dumb as a brick! The Ghostbusters are born.

Denounced by the Mayor (Andy Garcia) in the press but financed in secret to get rid of the ghosts! New York becomes over run by an army of specters including rat ghosts! Holtzmann invents new and more powerful weapons to combat the ghosts. Will they survive or will the ghost run New York?

Comparisons will be made to the original, but all fans will enjoy the homage to the 1984 film with cameos by Dan Ackroyd, Slimer, the Staypuff marshmallow man and many more! The ghosts are more impressive and visually stunning in 3D. McKinnon and Hemsworth carry the comedy load in this flick with Wiig as the straight woman and McCarthy doing the same shtick she always does in her movies.

I was very skeptical walking into this film but laughing as I left! Go see the new Ghostbusters and be sure to stay for the credits and you will laugh all the way to your car! Who you gonna call….GHOSTBUSTERS 2016!